Part 4944

<h1>-graphy</h1> <Xpage=645>

<hw>-gra*phy</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>. <ety>[Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ write. See <er>Graphic</er>.]</ety> <def>A suffix denoting the art of writing or describing; also, the writing or description itself; a treatise; <as>as, calligraphy, biography, geography</as>.</def>

<h1>Grapnel</h1> <Xpage=645>

<hw>Grap"nel</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>grapenel</ets>, dim. fr. F. <ets>grappin t</ets>he grapple of a ship; of German origin. See <er>Grape</er>.]</ety> <fld>(Naut.)</fld> <def>A small anchor, with four or five flukes or claws, used to hold boats or small vessels; hence, any instrument designed to grapple or hold; a grappling iron; a grab; -- written also <i>grapline</i>, and <i>crapnel</i>.</def>

<h1>Grapple</h1> <Xpage=645>

<hw>Grap"ple</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Grappled</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Grappling</er> <tt>(?)</tt>.]</wordforms> <ety>[F. <ets>grappiller</ets>, OF. <ets>graypil</ets> the grapple of a ship, fr. <ets>graper</ets> to pluck, prop., to seize, clutch; of German origin. See <er>Grape</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly.</def>

<blockquote>The gallies were <b>grappled</b> to the Centurion. <i>Hakluyt.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote><b>Grapple</b> them to thy soul with hoops of steel. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Grapple</h1> <Xpage=645>

<hw>Grap"ple</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <def>To use a grapple; to contend in close fight; to attach one's self as if by a grapple, as in wrestling; to close; to seize one another.</def>

<cs><col>To grapple with</col>, <cd>to enter into contest with, resolutely and courageously.</cd></cs>

<blockquote>And in my standard bear the arms of York, To <b>grapple</b> with the house of Lancaster. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Grapple</h1> <Xpage=645>

<hw>Grap"ple</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[See Grapple, <tt>v. t.</tt>, and cf. Crapple.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold.</def>

<i>Milton.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <sd>(a)</sd> <def>An instrument, usually with hinged claws, for seizing and holding fast to an object; a grab.</def> <sd>(b)</sd> <fld>(Naut.)</fld> <def>A grappling iron.</def>

<blockquote>The iron hooks and <b>grapples</b> keen. <i>Spenser.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>Grapple plant</col> <fld>(Bot.)</fld>, <cd>a South African herb (<spn>Herpagophytum leptocarpum</spn>) having the woody fruits armed with long hooked or barbed thorns by which they adhere to cattle, causing intense annoyance.</cd> -- <col>Grapple shot</col> <fld>(Life-saving Service)</fld>, <cd>a projectile, to which are attached hinged claws to catch in a ship's rigging or to hold in the ground; -- called also <altname>anchor shot</altname>.</cd></cs>

<h1>Grapplement</h1> <Xpage=645>

<hw>Grapple*ment</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A grappling; close fight or embrace.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Spenser.</i>

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<h1>Grappling</h1> <Xpage=646>

<hw>Grap"pling</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A laying fast ho1d of; also, that by which anything is seized and held, a grapnel.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A grapple; a struggle. A match for yards in fight, in grappling for the bear.</def>

<i>Dryden.</i>

<cs><col>Grappling iron</col>, <cd>a hooked iron used for grappling and holding fast a vessel or other object.</cd> -- <col>Grappling tongs</col>, <cd>broad-mouthed tongs for gathering oysters.</cd></cs>